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Critique my guitar track?
This topic contains 53 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by 
Jimbo 21 minutes ago.
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June 6, 2014 at 9:49 pm #14056
Thanks for the kind words!
I have recorded 2 new songs and any input would again be appreciated. I’m really proud of the second track and it’s the first bassline I have written that doesn’t sound out of place with the other instruments imo
https://soundcloud.com/dwigt/untitled-demo
https://soundcloud.com/dwigt/untitled-demo-chorus
I am nearing the end of my exams so I have a long summer to record lots of stuff; and hope to have an album’s worth of tracks recorded. So watch this space
July 9, 2014 at 6:02 pm #14285Thought i would give it a bump 🙂
July 9, 2014 at 8:38 pm #14287Good stuff, I could see either being refined or fleshed out into full songs. Are you going to do some drums and vocals as well?
Every guitar section is too upfront though, and have a similarly stark, crystalline, but splashy sound to them so it’s hard to make them all out. Especially on the second. That could just be my ear though. And on the first demo, around the 1:30 mark, it seems like everything loses steam and direction before kicking back in. The bass line worked really well, though.
All the tracks you’ve posted on here the last while have been solid, so definitely keep writing and recording stuff!
July 10, 2014 at 10:03 pm #14295Thanks for the feedback!
I think the issue with these (possibly) is that they recorded on my Squier Jag which was 2 days old when I recorded it. I initially had issues with it due to grounding and I think that may explain it? I re-recorded the first track (without the bassline, which I didn’t think worked) on my Gretsch, does this sound less splashy:
https://soundcloud.com/dwigt/update
I also recorded another new track. The intro/chorus rhythm was the only pre-written element the rest was improvised including the bassline:
https://soundcloud.com/dwigt/new-1
Again any feedback is hugely appreciated! And if anyone else wants to post on the thread I am more than happy to give feedback too 🙂
July 11, 2014 at 1:49 am #14297That sounds a lot better, still kinda stark (which I think is what you’re going far, and sounds good) but definitely not splashy. I’m getting a Johnny Marr x slightly more upbeat Daniel Kessler vibe.
January 7, 2015 at 12:31 am #14900I have been writing more often recently and here’s my new SoundCloud. Any feedback would be appreciate, particularly from MultipleMike who always commented in the beginning:
January 7, 2015 at 9:05 pm #14901Get some vocals on New Jersey, PA. It’s the best of the lot, and it would make a delightful nostalgic ballad of sorts. I seem to remember you having a good voice in a clip you posted a while back. I’m also really liking the harmonized leads you have going on in untitled 2015. Wasn’t really expecting to hear that, but they sound great.
“In Time” and “Exit” both have great opening riffs. My only complaint is that both songs could easily be more developed, but I understand that these are simple exercises. Still, everything here would lay solid foundations for fully realized songs, and I’d like to hear where some of them go. The arrangements are getting pretty impressive. The glassy synths in Eau Claire were also a nice surprise.
But definitely get some vocals on New Jersey, PA. I would also turn the synths down in the mix a bit. They’re a nice touch, but the guitars should be the real focal point here. Synths will still make their presence felt from the background.
January 8, 2015 at 6:26 pm #14904As always, thanks for the feedback! I agree that “New Jersey, PA” is the best track… in fact it’s probably the best I have ever written. I intended the beginning to sound like something from Springsteen’s “Nebraska” fused with some modern post-rock riffs and the outro/main part of the song (particularly the ‘solo’) to sound like the War on Drugs. That’s why the track is named New Jersey (after Springsteen’s home state) and PA (for Pennsylvania, home of the War on Drugs).
I am not a fan of “In Time” and if I ever recorded an album wouldn’t include it. I have forgotten how to play the main riff anyway as I wrote it along with lots of other material. “Exit” has a great opening riff IMO but I have no idea where to go with it rn.
“Eau Claire” was named by it influence’s (Bon Iver) hometown. Again, I don’t think that would be good enough to put on an album.
I can’t write lyrics at all, so this operation needs a vocalist!
February 10, 2015 at 2:46 am #14921I guess it’s been taken down since you initially posted the last batch of songs, but NJ, PA was really good!
A quick question, what kind of gear do you use to record? I’d love to be able to record stuff half decently, but the different options as far as gear goes kinda have me lost.
February 10, 2015 at 10:13 pm #14922I know the question was directed at Grant, but I’ll chime in anyway. How much are you willing to invest? I bought a 2 channel USB preamp with two condenser microphones 6 years ago and some software which probably totalled $700 – 800, I can’t exactly remember, but you could shave a couple hundred off that if you were to go with just the preamp and one microphone. You’d have to check with your local music store, which should have all the basic requirements. There are cheaper alternatives as well. A buddy of mine has one USB condenser microphone which bypasses the need for the preamp, and it sounds pretty decent, although I don’t know what he payed for it.
This is what my setup lets me produce: http://iacmusic.com/artist.aspx?id=127184
February 11, 2015 at 7:32 pm #14926Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately i’m not in a position to spend $700-800 at the moment. Your setup does sound really good though. I was thinking of a Shure SM57 and some basic usb preamp like this…
or
http://www.amazon.ca/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS
February 14, 2015 at 3:29 pm #14928@ajk: My set-up is really basic. All I use is an iRig HD cable and MIDI keyboard connected to GarageBand. iRig HD costs about £70 and the MIDI Keyboard cost me £20 because I purchased a new guitar with it so got a good deal 🙂
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I have uploaded two new tracks. In the first I tried to make a more “driving/pounding” song that builds this time and surges into a breakdown. Additionally, I used some layered riffs throughout to give it a sense of chaos. The second was inspired by The Strokes and was mostly improvised. What are your thoughts?
March 4, 2015 at 12:59 am #14938Nice, quite the steal. So I guess it’s really a question of how much I want spend, as you can get a simple, decent set up together inexpensively, or drop a bit more as MM suggested and take it to the next level. Anyway, thanks for getting back to me!
June 4, 2015 at 1:25 pm #15062New The National-inspired track:
https://soundcloud.com/grantgillingham/untitled
Would love to hear your opinions!
June 21, 2015 at 7:06 pm #15084Bump
I haven’t found any other sites that give as good feedback as I found on here!
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